February Climate Review and March Preview

February of 2014 started out cold and unsettled across most of south central and southeast Colorado, as an arctic airmass across the central US backed into eastern Colorado. Warmer, drier and windy weather was then experienced across the state through rest of the month. However, this warmer weather did not make up for the very cold temperatures experienced across eastern Colorado at the beginning of the month, as much of the southeast plains saw below average temperatures for the month as a whole. Above normal temperatures and below average precipitation was experienced across southwestern Colorado through the San Luis Valley through the month of February with the central mountains again seeing above normal precipitation for the month as a whole. The following graphics depict departures from normal for both temperatures and precipitation experienced across the state over the past month.

The average temperature in Alamosa over the past month of February was 28.2 degrees. This is 5.4 degrees above normal and makes February of 2014 tied with February of 1950, as the 10th warmest on record, though well below the average temperature of 33.2 degrees recorded in February of 1995. Alamosa received 0.05 inches of precipitation through the month of February. This is 0.21 inches below normal and makes February of 2014 tied with February of 1947, as the 13th driest on record. Alamosa also tallied 1.6 inches of snow through the month of February, which is 2.2 inches below normal.

The average temperature in Colorado Springs over the past month of February was 30.8 degrees, which is 1.3 degrees below normal. Colorado Springs received 0.22 inches of precipitation and 3.4 inches of snow through the month of February, which is 0.12 inches and 1.5 inches below normal, respectively.

The average temperature in Pueblo over the past month of February was 32.0 degrees, which is 1.9 degrees below normal. Pueblo received 0.28 inches of precipitation and 4.9 inches of snow through the month of February, which is 0.02 inches below and 1.3 inches above normal, respectively.

Looking ahead into March, in Alamosa, the average high and low temperature of 45 degrees and 12 degrees on March 1st warms to 55 degrees and 21 degrees by the end of the month, with an average monthly temperature of 33.5 degrees. Alamosa averages 0.53 inches of precipitation and 5 inches of snow in March.

In Colorado Springs, the average high and low temperature of 48 degrees and 22 degrees on March 1st warms to 56 degrees and 29 degrees, respectively, by the end of the month, with an average monthly temperature of 39.1 degrees. Colorado Springs averages 1 inch of precipitation along with 8.1 inches of snow in March.

In Pueblo, the average high and low temperature of 55 degrees and 21 degrees on March 1st warms to 63 degrees and 30 degrees by the end of the month, with an average monthly temperature of 42.3 degrees. Pueblo averages 0.93 inches of precipitation along with 5.7 inches of snow in March.

Below is the Climate Prediction Center's temperature and precipitation outlook for March, which gives equal chances for above, below and near normal temperatures and precipitation across the area.